November 30, 2007
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNVEILS COMPREHENSIVE HIV PREVENTION PLAN AND HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIOLOGY PROFILE
December 1 is World AIDS Day
(Richmond, Va.) – Public and private healthcare planners in Virginia now have two new tools to help them plan and evaluate prevention and healthcare services for Virginians. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has completed its 2008 Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan and its companion, the Epidemiology Profile: HIV/AIDS in Virginia. more>>
October 1, 2007
SAVE TIME. SAVE MONEY. SAVE LIVES.
Health Officials Underscore the Value of a Flu Shot
(Richmond, Va.)-People have plenty of excuses for not getting a flu shot: “It makes me sick.” “I get the flu anyway”. “The flu isn’t serious enough to get the shot.” The myths are many, but the facts are simple. The flu shot saves lives, and is the single most effective way to keep your family flu-free this season. more>>
Aug. 31, 2007
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UPDATES FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has modified several existing fish consumption advisories and added three new advisories due to mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination. Recent test results conducted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) show mercury and PCBs levels exceed the amount considered safe for long term human consumption. more>>
Aug. 27, 2007
STUDENTS GET A FOOT IN THE DOOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR WITH IMMUNIZATIONS
(RICHMOND, Va.)—Even before they enter the classroom this year, students in Virginia will be a step ahead of poor health and disease. Thanks to the vaccinations required for entry into Virginia schools, students are protected against diseases like pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria, among other serious diseases. more>>
June 29, 2007
NETWORK OF SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS SITES PROTECTS CHILD PASSENGERS
New Virginia Child Restraint Laws Become Effective July 1
(Richmond, Va.) – Beginning July 1, parents and caregivers will be required by law to secure their children properly while riding in a vehicle, at least until the child’s eighth birthday. To help parents adjust to the upcoming mandates, health officials are reaching out to parents to educate them about the type of safety restraints necessary for each stage of childhood, from infancy to elementary school age. more>>
June 21, 2007
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SUGGESTS ALL THIRTEEN TO SIXTY-FOUR YEAR OLDS GET TESTED FOR HIV
(Richmond, Va.) — In observance of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages individuals ages 13 to 64 to get tested for HIV. New guidelines issued in September 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend routine testing for everyone in this age group; a change from focusing only on people with specific risk factors. more>>
May 14, 2007
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LAUNCHES SURVEY TO HELP REDUCE THE STATE’S INFANT MORTALITY RATE
(RICHMOND, Va.) – Starting this month, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will survey mothers of newborns to learn why some babies are born healthy and some are not.
Each month, about 100 mothers of 2- or 3-month-old babies will be randomly selected from VDH’s listing of births in Virginia and asked to complete a questionnaire that will help public health officials and others understand what may be causing preventable deaths or diseases among infants. More mothers of low birth weight babies will be invited to participate because babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth have higher rates of deaths and illnesses. Survey answers will help VDH develop a better understanding of how health care professionals and mothers can work together to improve birth outcomes. more>>
May 7, 2007
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF ALL VIRGINIANS, EVERY DAY, EVERYWHERE
(RICHMOND, Va.) – Whether it’s an outbreak of tuberculosis, norovirus or salmonella infections linked to peanut butter, Virginia’s public health nurses are on the front lines of the investigation, helping protect citizens of the Commonwealth. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) nurses work with epidemiologists, doctors and other partners to identify the cause and control the spread of the disease within communities. VDH’s public health nurses are there every day, protecting the health of the 7.6 million citizens of Virginia. more>>
April 16 , 2007
National volunteer week – a time to recognize volunteers who give more than just time
(RICHMOND, Va.)– A woman calls 911, she is frantic because her husband has collapsed and he is not breathing. An ambulance arrives within minutes. The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and paramedic who provide life saving services are more than heroes, they are volunteers. more>>
April 13 , 2007
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HOSTS CHRONIC DISEASE CONFERENCE
An estimated 740,000 Virginians live with a chronic disease
WHAT
Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Chronic Disease Conference, “Health Across the Lifespan: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility” will offer disease prevention specialists current information for preventing major chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. The conference will focus on how chronic disease prevention plays a role at every stage of life and on taking personal responsibility to reduce the risk factors for chronic diseases. more>>
March 20, 2007
TELEVISION ADS STRESS IMPORTANCE OF FOLIC ACID IN PREVENTING BIRTH DEFECTS
(RICHMOND, Va.) -- This month the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will air a series of television ads reminding women of the importance of taking folic acid before they become pregnant. more>>
March 19, 2007
CAMPAIGN AIMS TO REDUCE INHALANT ABUSE AMONG VIRGINIA’S MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
March 18-24 is National Poison Prevention Week
(RICHMOND, Va.) – Beginning this week, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will launch a statewide campaign to educate parents of middle school-aged children about the health risks and warning signs of inhalant abuse and how to prevent it. The 2005 Virginia Community Youth Survey conducted for the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services indicated that eight percent of the 4,704 eighth graders surveyed reported using inhalants within the past 30 days, almost double the national rate. more>>
Jan. 29, 2007
WEAR RED FEBRUARY 2 TO FIGHT HEART DISEASE, THE NO. 1 KILLER OF WOMEN
(RICHMOND,Va.) – Virginia’s public health officials are seeing red these days, and they want to see more, especially on Feb. 2. That’s National Wear Red Day, which is linked to the fight to decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD), the No. 1 killer of women – and men – in Virginia and the United States. more>>
Jan. 25, 2007
SUICIDES MORE COMMON THAN HOMICIDES IN VIRGINIA
(RICHMOND, Va.)—Suicides are more common in Virginia than homicides according to a report released this month by the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. more>>
Jan. 19, 2007
VIRGINIA NATIVE SCORES TOUCHDOWNS FOR CHICAGO BEARS AND SCORES POINTS IN OBESITY PREVENTION ADS
(RICHMOND, Va.)—Big Stone Gap native Thomas Jones, a star running back with the Chicago Bears football team, is starring in public service announcements urging Virginia youth to be more physically active. more>>
Jan. 18, 2007
FAMILY GUIDES HELP PARENTS OF INFANTS WITH HEARING LOSS
(RICHMOND, Va.)—Imagine your joy the day your baby is born. Now imagine the fear and uncertainty you’d experience if you learned that your baby cannot hear. Where would you turn for help? Who could give you the information you need? What options would you have? more>>